THE CONSTITUTION says that federal judges "shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour" - for life, that is, unless they commit an impeachable offense. Which brings us to the allegations of domestic violence against Mark E. Fuller, a U.S. District Court judge in Montgomery, Ala.

The paper then details the police response to the horrifying 911 call from Fuller's wife Kelli after the Judge reportedly "threw her to the ground, pulled her by the hair, kicked her and hit her in the face" (the actual 911 call is more horrifying still), leaving her bloodied inside their Ritz-Carlton hotel room in Atlanta on August 9th, and the disturbing similarities to the case of the NFL's Ray Rice, who was also allowed off the hook by the court system after beating up his then-fiancee/now-wife, as "first time offenders". (Even though Judge Fuller's previous wife alleged similar physical abuse during their divorce trial).

And then...

[P]oliticians from both parties have called for Judge Fuller's resignation, including the state's two Republican U.S. senators, who had supported his appointment by President George W. Bush in 2002. Judge Fuller said he "deeply regret[s] this incident" but refuses to step down. Meanwhile, he is effectively suspended from hearing cases, pending the 11th Circuit investigation.

The members of Congress calling for the judge's resignation say they want to demonstrate that there is no excuse for domestic violence and that it is doubly repugnant when allegedly committed by someone who is sworn to dispense justice. That's true, but with their impeachment powers, these politicians could investigate and punish Judge Fuller themselves, starting tomorrow, if they were so inclined.

As we read the history, impeachment for off-the-bench misconduct by a federal judge is rare; impeachment for domestic violence would be unprecedented. However, it belongs on the list of offenses potentially serious enough to warrant disqualification from "any Office of honor, Trust, or Profit under the United States"; certainly it fits no reasonable definition of "good Behaviour." Presiding over a federal court, unlike football, is not a game. If the facts of Judge Fuller's case warrant it, Congress should not hesitate to proceed against him.

Glad they finally noticed. But, as we detailed with court documents last week, even impeachment would be a gift for Fuller, based on the almost identical circumstances (and worse) that appear to have occurred during his first marriage as well, just two years ago.

It is a sad commentary about the nature of our corporate MSM that it failed to address this subject until "politicians from...both parties called for Judge Fuller's resignation."

The circumstance calls to mind Bill Moyers' lament for Jim Lehrer's belief that "unless an official says something is so, it isn't news."

Why were journalists not discussing the occupation of Iraq? Because, says Lehrer, "the word ‘occupation’…was never mentioned in the run-up to the war." Washington talked about the invasion as "'a war of liberation,' not a war of occupation. So as a consequence, those of us in journalism never even looked at the issue of occupation.

Why didn't WaPo cover the Fuller story before? Apparently because, at the time it focused on the NFL like a laser, mainstream politicians were not discussing Fuller's impeachment.

I whole-heartedly agree but one need not be a Pollyanna to see that there's good news here as well.

Not only is Fuller's teflon coating apparently worn through in places (perhaps from too much scrubbing?) but it's also clear that the efforts of a single, ethical, dedicated journalist like Brad Friedman ARE effective in the fight to keep America's plutocracy in some kind of check.

(Mr. Friedman: Sarah Palin next? PLEASE? She's like a car alarm that keeps going off in the middle of the night --- noise pollution that can't be stopped until the owner is identified.)

(Mr. Friedman: Sarah Palin next? PLEASE? She's like a car alarm that keeps going off in the middle of the night --- noise pollution that can't be stopped until the owner is identified.)

Palin is stupid, not criminal (for the most part). If I covered all the stupid people, rather than the criminals, I'd have no time left for all the criminals! Also too plus, she's generally well-covered by others, so I'm not needed. I look forward to not covering Fuller on the same grounds at some point...if I'm lucky!

Thanks, beyond that, for the very kind words. (And to the others who have noted similar, as well! Now buckle up for tomorrow's story on someone else entirely, that I hope to finally get published!)

I totally grok. It's just that IMHO Palin is uniquely overdue for a dose of truth to cure her noxious, blatantly hypocritical bile-spewing with all its self-aggrandizement and 'Mom jeans'-level criticism --- especially in light of SarahPAC's semi-annual FEC filings and their astonishing expenditures on "consulting" and "postage."

But, HEY ... not even Superman could stop every bus from plunging off a bridge.

Judge Fuller needs to be impeached and put in prison for his involvement in jailing the very wonderful and decent Gov. Don Siegelman, and then put in isolation for his brutal beating of his wife. We wonder why the nation's ethical standards are in the crapper, we have this kind of role model getting away with basic, expected good conduct. .

Love your Wed afternoon show Brad. First I'd heard about Fuller was on your show and then about a week or so later Chris Hayes picked up on it. You are a true investigative reporter --- a rare breed in this day and age.

This judge is obviously an alcoholic who should at least be suspended pending a treatment order. My father was a violent husband and father when he went on his drinking binges. When sober, he was a different person--a kind and compassionate man. Unfortunately, he drank during my entire childhood! Judge Fuller needs help!